Open Secrets demands answers from Home Affairs Minister Dr Schreiber regarding the granting of South African citizenship to alleged war criminal Christoph Huber
Cape Town, South Africa
26 November 2024
On 25 November 2024, Open Secrets submitted a letter to Home Affairs Minister Dr Leon Schreiber regarding the granting of South African citizenship to Swiss national and alleged war criminal Christoph Huber (Huber).
Huber has been the subject of credible and public allegations that he illegally exploited and appropriated natural resources from a conflict zone in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). These alleged actions could constitute the war crime of pillage, a crime under international law whereby a perpetrator knowingly uses conditions of armed conflict to loot for their own benefit.
Emphasising the seriousness of these allegations, Swiss authorities confirmed in 2018 that Huber was being investigated for his activities. This investigation is ongoing. In April 2024, United States’ law firm Amsterdam and Partners published a report detailing alleged mineral smuggling in the DRC. The report calls Huber and his business associate “the backbone of Rwanda’s smuggling networks in central Africa”.
Despite this, Open Secrets’ investigation has shown that Huber was granted South African citizenship by the Department of Home Affairs, which is now headed by Democratic Alliance Minister Dr Schreiber. In Open Secrets’ investigation, Huber was also revealed to own four multimillion-rand properties in the country.
South Africa has a duty to investigate and prosecute international war crimes. Open Secrets therefore demands answers from Minister Schreiber as to when and on what basis Huber was granted South African citizenship, which may have been in direct opposition to that duty. Open Secrets also notes a worrying double standard; an alleged war criminal who happens to be a wealthy European businessman can be granted citizenship and access to the attendant benefits, while vulnerable persons from across Africa seeking refuge and protection as asylum seekers receive far greater scrutiny from our authorities.
President Ramaphosa has previously stated that all foreign nationals must follow the laws of South Africa. We call on Minister Schreiber to ensure that wealthy European businessmen are not exempt from this. We should only open our borders to alleged war criminals when we intend to swiftly investigate and prosecute them.
